School of Divinity Commissioning Ceremony

Date & Time: Thursday, May 2 | 4:00 p.m. (ET)

Congratulations! You have made it to graduation! We are excited that you have decided to join us for our Commissioning Service and look forward to meeting your families and friends.

Commissioning is a sacred service dedicated to worship, prayer, and anointing. Commissioning means “to grant authority,” “to entrust,” or “to appoint or assign a task or function.” This special ceremony commissions our graduates to take their training into the world and make a difference for Christ.

This event will prayerfully commission you to serve the world as a Christian leader in your chosen field. The schedule includes:

• Dean’s welcome
• Charge from School of Divinity faculty
• Presentation of Outstanding Student Awards
• Formal reading of graduate names
• Faculty prayer and anointing of graduates
• Professional headshots by Grad Images
• Reception at the Communications Building Plaza from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

The service will be streamed live beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Commencement (also known as graduation) will be held Saturday, May 4 beginning at 9:15 a.m. ET on the Library Plaza. This ceremony includes all graduates and faculty. Please view www.regent.edu/commencement for more information regarding Commencement.

Area hotels: https://www.regent.edu/student-life/student-housing/area-hotels/

Welcome & Prayer	Dr. Corné J. Bekker Dean & Professor, School of Divinity
Message from the Provost	Dr. William L. Hathaway Provost, Regent University
Invocation	Dr. Regretta Ruffin Assistant Professor, School of Divinity
Praise & Worship	Chamber Choir & Dr. Joan Pi Assistant Professor; Director of Choral Activities
Faculty Charge to Graduates	Dr. Alex Mekonnen Professor, School of Divinity
Dean’s Charge to Graduates	Dr. Corné J. Bekker Dean & Professor, School of Divinity
Faculty & Alumni Awards	Dr. Corné J. Bekker Dean & Professor, School of Divinity
Student Awards	Dr. James T. Flynn Associate Dean & Associate Professor, School of Divinity
Hooding of the Graduates	SOD Faculty
Alumni Induction	Alora Tejada Alumni Affairs
Benediction & Prayer	Pastor Thomas Lane M.Div. Graduate ‘14, Senior Pastor of Ascent Church in Virginia Beach, VA

Thursday, May 2 at 4:00 p.m. ET at the Shaw Chapel.

Parking will be available across campus, but we encourage School of Divinity graduates and their guests to park in the Communication Building Lots (Lots K and L on the map) and the Welcome Center/Divinity Building Lot (Lot N on the map). As Commissioning ceremonies will occur throughout the day, please carpool if possible.

Click here to view the Regent campus map.

Graduates are expected to check in at the Welcome Center/Divinity Building lobby by 3:00 p.m. dressed in full regalia. Graduates should not have hoods on. Plan to be in the parking lot by 2:45 p.m. Your family and friends are invited (no tickets needed). Faculty will assist with the lineup in the Welcome Center/Divinity Building.

PICKING UP REGALIA

For students who ordered their regalia to be shipped to Regent University, regalia must be picked up on campus at the Dede Robertson Student Center. Graduates must present photo ID to pick up their regalia (caps, gowns, and tassels) in the Welcome Center, Divinity Building Room 177. View the Regent campus map.

The Registrar’s staff will only release regalia to someone other than the graduate if they have received prior written consent from the graduate at registrar@regent.edu. Graduates must send this written consent from their Regent email account.

Graduates not attending the Commissioning Service may pick up their regalia the morning of Commencement, beginning at 8:00 am; however, they are strongly encouraged to pick up their regalia in advance.

Graduates may not alter or decorate their regalia, including caps.

PROPER ATTIRE (UNDER REGALIA)

Graduates must wear all regalia for the service, including their caps, gowns, and any University-provided Honors regalia. Gentlemen should wear button-down dress shirts and ties with dark trousers and dress shoes. Ladies should wear a dress, a skirt or dress pants and comfortable dress shoes.

Please note that this service will involve extensive standing, walking across uneven brick pathways, and walking up stairs. Absolutely no sneakers, jeans, or T-shirts are permitted. Please be advised that men will need to remove their caps during prayer.

As a Regent University School of Divinity graduate, we trust that your participation at the Commissioning Service will reflect the dignity, decorum, and gracious order which a ceremony of this nature requires.

You will be guided in correct protocol throughout the ceremony by listening to directions from the Master of Ceremonies, ushers, and staff at all times. Further, please refrain from any of the following disruptive/disrespectful behavior:

• Talking or cheering at inappropriate times
• Changing seats or needlessly moving
• Using cell phones or other mobile technology for any reason
• Any other activities that would infringe upon other graduates’ enjoyment of the ceremony

Graduates will not be permitted to carry anything, including purses, bags, umbrellas, or cameras into the ceremony. Graduates should leave all their belongings in their vehicles or with their guests. There is no place to store belongings prior to or during the service. Regent University is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.

There are no seating limits; therefore, tickets are not required.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Matthew Chandler at mattch3@regent.edu.